By Randall Higgins
Cleveland Bureau
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Today is the Worldwide Day of Play, and Cleveland is participating in the observance, Mayor Tom Rowland said.
The Worldwide Day of Play is part of a "Let's Just Play" program sponsored by the Nickelodeon cable television channel, the Boys and Girls Club of America and Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Nickelodeon plans to go black fram noon to 3 p.m., encouraging children to go outside and play.
"When I was young, we always went out to play in the park," Sarah Barber said. She is a nursing student at Middle Tennessee State University. On Thursday, she and her son, Ethan, were visiting her mother here, and they spent some time at Deer Park.
"I wish the world was safe enough so they could go out by themselves today," she said. "It's great when kids can take a break, rest their brains for school."
Caroline Farris was busy keeping up as visiting granddaughter Roseanne Killen sampled each of the play features at the city park.
"She is visiting from out of town, and she really enjoys this," Mrs. Farris said.
Elsewhere in the park, Linda Ballew was pushing her grandson, Caleb Peden, in a swing.
"Playing and exercise is just good for growth, good for the mind, good for the spirit," Mrs. Ballew said.
Mr. Rowland this week proclaimed today as Cleveland's Day of Play.
"A day of play should be easy because this community has miles and miles of greenways where parents and children can walk and ride and enjoy the scenery," Mr. Rowland said. "We have parks and playgrounds that are among the best anywhere. Our boys and Girls Club has a variety of activities to offer. There is plenty to do to enjoy a day of play and relaxation away from TV sets and video games."
The day fits in with local schools' emphasis on healthy eating and fitness, said Kathy Shankle-Rowan, coordinator for the Cleveland City Schools' school health program.
"The state of Tennessee is leading the charge, really, by going statewide with a school-coordinated effort," Dr. Shankle-Rowan said,
"People are starting to realize, and there are studies to show, that with good health, academic performance improves," she said.
She said schools hope to encourage physical activity throughout the school day.
"Right now we want to raise the level of awareness between health and academics," she said. "And we are fortunate here to have places like the greenway and Fletcher Park."
E-mail Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com
